Her Reluctant Husband by Erica Marselas (summer beach reads txt) 📗

“I wanted you to watch over her as a friend. Not to abuse and rape her.”

“She fucking wanted me,” he yells. “I took care of her. We had rules. She broke them and she paid. And your sister paid too.” He shows me my phone, my text messages on the screen. “I texted your honey bear. That name isn’t cute either, but she’s on her way. Now I’m going to make you sit back and watch me claim her back as mine.”

“You’re fucking sick.”

“I wouldn’t have made you do this, but you had to come home before her.”

“Deacon, don’t do this to her.”

“I’ll do whatever the fuck I want. Your little Ju-Ju will always be mine.”

“She will never be yours.”

“And what, she’s supposed to be yours? I had you hating her for years.”

“I won’t make that mistake again, but June doesn’t belong to me or anyone. She isn’t a fucking possession, you dick.”

17JUNE

Alex: I really hope you’re coming. Dinner is almost ready.

Annnnd I told you I didn’t know.

I smirk as I type up my message. I’m already in the car, having decided to go to the house to put the man out of his misery, but these last two days have been good for me. There’s no longer this secret pinning me down. Alex knowing and believing gave me fresh oxygen to my lungs. I can see around the heavy fog and see us.

Alex: Come. I promise to make it worth it.

I’ll be on bended knee when you get here.

I read the last text over again and it makes my fingers tingle. And not in that good anticipation kinda way. I knock it back to the nerves of seeing him again.

Alright I’m coming but you better be prepared

to watch some of the cheesiest movies.

It doesn’t take me long before I’m pulling up to the house and turning off the engine. Alex’s F-150 is here and the chickens are roaming around free like they do during the day, along with Alex’s favorite rooster. Nothing seems different or feels different, but as I go to open my door, I hesitate.

It’s just the nerves.

As I walk up to the porch, the swing sways in the wind, and the front door and storm door are wide open. No unusual smells are seeping out and it strikes me as funny because I thought he was making dinner. I can always smell anything cooking from the door.

“Alex?” I call into the house, but I don’t go in.

“June, run!” Alex yells.

He’s here. My fight or flight instinct has been triggered. Everything in me is tingling and my legs are bouncing. I promised myself I would fight, but…

I don’t get a chance to pick, when the scent of motor oil and pine wraps around me like ivy and I’m paralyzed as my monster lifts me in his arms. “I’m glad to know you don’t obey your husband,” Deacon grumbles in my ear. “Why don’t we go join him, huh? I think he misses you.”

Deacon drops me into the living room in front of Alex. He’s handcuffed to the radiator and there’s a large bruise along his jaw. “Look, your honey bear is home.”

“What did you do to him?” I go charging for Alex, but Deacon wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me back.

“Gave him a hit to a carotid. Dropped like a fly. Had to take him out before he did me. Wouldn’t be much of a reunion if he did.” He laughs as he whips me around to look at him. I’m glad to see Deacon’s face is bloody and looks to be missing a tooth.

“At least it looks like he got some good punches into you first though. Rearranged that ugly nose of yours,” I hiss and he grabs my face, squeezing my cheeks hard. His olive eyes glare into me, but I will everything in me to stay firm.

“What have I told you about that mouth?” He raises his hand, and I flinch.

“Don’t you fucking touch her,” Alex barks, and the metal from the cuffs rattles on the pipe.

Deacon drops his hand and snarls over to Alex. “I don’t think you’re in any position to be making demands.”

“Alex, I’m fine,” I whisper, wanting to draw Deacon back.

“See.” He kisses my cheek. “She always ends up obeying and coming back to me.”

Deacon releases my face, and I stumble back a little from the force. His scent lingers in my nose, and all those years of torment flash in my mind along with every nightmare.

No!

Fight!

Don’t let him scare you because you don’t have to take this anymore, June.

The only way to make him go is to not be scared anymore.

You’re not in his chains anymore.

“Are you going to cry, June?” Deacon mocks.

“No,” I cross my arms and snarl.

“Good.” But I can tell he’s somewhat disappointed as he circles around me like prey. He likes my tears.

“What do you want Deacon?”

“I’m upset with you, sweetcheeks. I’m sure Alex is too. I mean, he’s all tied up because you opened your mouth again and told him our little secrets.” He tsks and runs his hand down my bare arm. “By the way, you’re looking cute in this sports getup you got on.”

“I wouldn’t have told if you didn’t send me your crazy notes.”

“I like keeping you on your toes. Seeing if you’ll listen.”

“But just like you, I eventually snap.”

“Yeah, I was told about your little snap. You see I didn’t send you that one letter at your door. I was still in Spain, wondering what to do about you. It’s just you’re so easy to fuck with, and I just had to. I needed